Flame-coloring device



June 3, 1969 R. JQFAY ETAL. 3,447,881

FLAME-COLORING DEVICE Filed 001.. 26. 1967 Fig. 2..

I// lll ////K/ l/7/ INVENTORS. RICHARD J. FAY and PHILLIP J ifs/TEL Gal s.

Affarncgs United States Patent Oflice 3,447,881 Patented June 3, 1969 US. Cl. 431-126 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pyrotechnic flare burner having an enclosed chamber with a quantity of gelled colorant material and a combustion chamber positioned in the center of said enclosed chamber with small apertures connecting the two chambers whereby heat from the combustion chamber generates vapor pressure in the colorant material chamber which forces the gel through the apertures and into the flame in the combustion chamber.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to the production of colored flames and more particularly to a simplified burner that functions as a colored pyrotechnic flare.

Various types of devices have heretofore been employed to color a flame. For example, in US. Patent 3,215,186, which issued Nov. 2, 1965, to Percy B. Levitt, there is shown an apparatus for coloring a flame in the combustion of a hydrocarbon. An expansion chamber is provided which receives a stream of petroleum, and a burner nozzle in a combustion chamber has conduit means communicating with the expansion chamber. Vaporous fuel is ejected from the burner nozzle into the combustion chamber where it is ignited and projected out of the combustion chamber into the atmosphere. A second stream of Vaporous petroleum from the expansion chamber passes through conduit means and operates an aspirator assembly for the aspiration of a fluid such as an aqueous solution of a flame colorant into the flame.

In US. Patent 2,270,443, which issued Jan. 20, 1942, to Joseph Jares, there is shown another device for producing a colored flame. A venturi air-gas mixer is fed by a high pressure gas line and a flame coloring material is supplied to the burner through the injector action of the air mixer. The flame coloring material in the form of powder is supplied from one or more hoppers through a spout into a groove in a rotating turntable which carries the material into the range of suction at the mouth of the venturi.

Summary of the invention The present invention relates to a burner for producing a color flame which might be utilized for military purposes, such as signaling, or the like. An enclosed chamber is provided with a quantity of gelled colorant material and a combustion chamber is centered within the enclosed chamber. A conduit and nozzle are attached to one end of the combustion chamber and the other end is open, and it is from this open end that a flame extends. A plurality of small apertures connect the enclosed chamber with the combustion chamber. Heat from the combustion chamber causes the gelled colorant material to be forced through the apertures by its increased vapor pressure into the combustion chamber and colors the flame therein.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a simplified burner for producing a colored flame.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawing, a pyrotechnic burner 10 is shown which is toroidal in configuration and has an outer circular wall 11 and an inner circular wall 12 which form chambers 13 and 14. A cover plate 15 is attached to burner 10 by means of screws 16 and encloses chamber 13. A center hole 17 is provided in plate 15 and provides an opening for chamber 14, which serves as a combustion chamber. A conduit 18, having a nozzle 19 on one end thereof, is attached to burner 10 for feeding fuel to combustion chamber 14.

A quantity of gelled colorant material 21 is provided in chamber 13 and, as shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, chamber 13 is not completely filled so as to leave an expansion space. By way of example, the gelled material 21 might be that which is described in applicants copending application entitled, Gelled Pyrotechnic Flare Composition, Ser. No. 628,512, filed Oct. 27, 1967. A plurality of small apertures 22 connect the bottom of enclosed chamber 13 with the bottom of combustion chamber 14.

In operation a fuel, a by way of example such as methane, acetylene, or hydrogen, is fed through conduit 18 and nozzle 19 into chamber 14 where the fuel is burned. Heat from chamber 14 is transferred through wall 12, and the heat causes the gelled colorant material 21, to be forced through the apertures, 22, into combustion chamber 14 by vapor pressure. The colorant material is then consumed by the flame to provide the desired color thereto.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

We claim:

1. A flame coloring device comprising:

an enclosed chamber,

a quantity of gelled colorant material in said enclosed chamber,

a combustion chamber positioned in the center of said enclosed chamber for burning fuel,

a burner nozzle for injecting fuel into said combustion chamber, and

a plurality of small apertures connecting the bottom of said enclosed chamber with the bottom of said combustion chamber whereby heat from said combustion chamber generates vapor pressure which forces the gelled colorant material through the apertures into the combustion chamber for coloring a flame produced by burning said fuel.

2. A flame coloring device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said enclosed chamber is closed with a removably attached top plate whereby said enclosed chamber can be replenished with gelled colorant material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,990,749 7/1961 Thiers 43l126 3,215,186 11/1965 Levitt 431-426 EDWARD J. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner. 

